The Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) has projects underway to preserve and maintain highways and bridges in northeast Mississippi, said Commissioner Mike Tagert, Northern Transportation District.

Four-lane expansion on State Route 15 in Pontotoc County

Traffic will begin using the newly constructed travel lanes on State Route 15 in Pontotoc County on February 2.

A $21.5 million construction project to expand State Route 15 in Pontotoc County from two lanes to four stretches approximately eight miles from State Route 76 north to the Union County line.

Traffic will be realigned February 2 to the newly constructed lanes from the Union County line south to State Route 346.

Two lane traffic will use the new lanes while crews reconstruct the existing highway and Tanglefoot Trail Bridge. The bridge, which was built in 1971 over a railroad, will be replaced, and the existing roadway will be lowered to a similar grade as the new lanes.

“Opening the new lanes to traffic is a major step forward for the project,” Tagert said. “Motorists should be cautious and allow extra time through the area as they get used to the new alignment.”

On the south end of the project, crews have cleared the roadbed and placed riprap in drainage areas. More earthwork remains to prepare the roadbed for lane construction. The Lappatubby Creek Bridge, which was constructed in 1955, will also be replaced.

A third bridge in Ecru crossing the Lappatubby Creek was built in 1971 and will see several repairs and improvements.

The intersection of State Route 346 will also be realigned.

The project was awarded to Talbot Brothers, of Nesbit, in April. The estimated completion will be summer 2020.

Work continues on this project to replace six bridges and a box culvert along State Route 145 in Prentiss County. The existing timber pile bridges and culvert were built in the 1940s. MDOT engineers placed weight restrictions on each of the bridges which presented safety concerns for the traveling public. The project covers four separate sites.

Site 1 included three bridges over Twenty Mile Creek, Wolf Creek and the Wolf Creek Tributary. The three bridges are now open to the traveling public. The final layer of asphalt and permanent striping have not been applied.

Site 2 includes one bridge replacement over Osborne Creek and one box culvert extension. County Road 7090 will be realigned as part of the project. Crews are nearing completion of the box culvert, and riprap has been placed along drainage structures. A signed detour is in place.

Site 3, north of State Route 4, will rebuild one bridge over King’s Creek. Site 4, north of Thrasher Road, will replace one bridge with a new box culvert. Sites 3 and Site 4 have a construction timeline of May 2019 to July 2019. Detours will be in place.

MDOT anticipates the entire project to be complete by early summer 2020.

“These bridges have been on MDOT’s deficient bridge list and have become a public safety issue,” Tagert said. “These projects will increase safety and mobility throughout the region.”

Bridge maintenance on State Route 178 in Itawamba County

Work to replace seven bridges along State Route 178 in Itawamba County is on schedule.

At Johns Creek, a temporary detour bridge is in place while crews construct a new, permanent bridge. A second bridge over Johns Creek will be replaced with a box culvert, which is currently under construction.

Recent wet weather has slowed construction progress.

“The original bridges were constructed in the 1930s, and they have outlived their serviceable life spans,” Tagert said. “When the project is completed, it will put this section of State Route 178 back in full service.”

Construction zones present new traffic patterns and configurations that can cause confusion to some motorists. For information about how to navigate highway work zones safely, visit GoMDOT.com/drivesmartms.

“Workers may be present on these maintenance and construction projects,” Said Melinda McGrath, P.E., MDOT executive director. “MDOT encourages drivers to slow down in work zones so our crew members can make it home safe to their families.”

For more information on MDOT maintenance and construction projects, visit MDOTtraffic.com, call Mississippi 511, download the free MDOT Traffic app or like and follow @MississippiDOT on Facebook and Twitter.

CUTLINES AND PHOTO LINK – HERE
SR15 – Pontotoc County – Traffic will begin using the newly constructed travel lanes on State Route 15 in Pontotoc County on February 2.

The Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) is responsible for providing a safe intermodal transportation network that is planned, designed, constructed and maintained in an effective, cost-efficient and environmentally sensitive manner. MDOT’s objective is to maximize taxpayer’s dollars by providing a safe, efficient multimodal network that enhances economic stability and growth. For more information, visit GoMDOT.com.